Exploring employability skills in UAE higher education programs using a self-assessment matrix

Abstract

Purpose

This research paper explores the degree to which employability skills are embedded across educational programs in higher education (HE) institutions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and to establish how successfully the required graduate attributes are being promoted, particularly those relating to employability.

Design/methodology/approach

An employability self-assessment matrix, adapted from one originally developed by the UK Centre for Bioscience for a similar purpose, was utilised as the research framework in this study to generate data relevant to the UAE. The tool used was a self-administered questionnaire completed by curriculum managers on the target campuses.

Findings

The findings reveal that employability skills are increasingly being integrated into curricula and that the use of a self-assessment matrix proves to be an effective tool in gauging and further improving institutional effectiveness in this area. Supporting Higher Education institutions in promoting and developing employability skills through raising awareness and targeting resources more effectively.

Originality/value

In the context of a shifting labour market landscape, this study contributes to the ongoing discussions on the importance of employability skills and how they can be effectively integrated into HE programs to enhance career prospects and economic prosperity.

Citation

Carter, D., Minhas, W. and Al Hafidh, G. (2025), "Exploring employability skills in UAE higher education programs using a self-assessment matrix", Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, Vol. 17 No. 1, pp. 495-509. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-05-2024-0220